CHAPTER 137: CHAPTER 137: FEELINGS WARM UP, SLEPT TOGETHER

Eventually, Stella Grant learned from Keegan Lindsey the reason why Aiden Fordham had to protect Helen Warren back then.

Keegan told the story of Bruno Duvall, giving every detail without leaving anything out.

Every word was like a heavy hammer striking Stella’s heart.

A tide of overwhelming emotions surged within her, leaving her utterly shaken.

She never imagined that behind his inscrutable and painful endurance was this kind of truth.

To protect her, he bore her misunderstanding, endured the blood-stained accusation.

Suddenly, she recalled a saying: If not for love, who would be willing to stand against the world?

Keegan watched her expression and quickly added, "Also, Helen Warren... has been personally sent to prison by President Fordham. It’s evidence President Fordham newly gathered, and the lawyer said she would be sentenced to at least ten years."

Stella could only look at him blankly, face full of disbelief, unable to say anything.

It turned out, he had silently avenged the children!

She turned around woodenly, walking out step by step.

Her eyes uncontrollably welled up, she saw everything in a blur, her heart tangled in chaos.

At night, after dinner and washing up, Stella checked emails on the computer.

Aiden Fordham suddenly knocked on the door, saying he wanted to take her somewhere.

She did not refuse and got in the car with him.

About half an hour later, they arrived at a bay with a vast sky, brilliant stars, and a small mountain nearby.

Indeed, this is the famous Firefly Grotto in Mardale, really living up to its name.

The entrance to the cave was small but opened up to a wide view inside.

Fireflies swirled all around, their green glow pulsing, as if the starlight was scattered across this little world.

Outside the cave, a tent was set up in advance, with soft cushions and some snacks and drinks laid beside it, and gentle music wafted from afar.

Aiden Fordham held her hand as they sat on the soft cushions.

He turned to look at her, her eyes brighter than the fireflies, reflecting gleams of light, incredibly beautiful.

Happiness seemed about to overflow from Aiden Fordham’s heart.

He swallowed hard, his voice somewhat hoarse.

"Stella."

"Hm?" She turned to meet his deep gaze.

"Thank you." He paused, each word crystal clear, "for guarding me for twelve years."

Not a confession.

But gratitude.

Stella was stunned for a moment, the sudden gratitude made her feel a bit uncomfortable.

"Aiden Fordham," she leaned closer, studying him carefully, "did something happen to you?"

His eyes flickered momentarily, then returned to his usual composure.

"No! Here, no one can hurt me." As arrogant as ever.

"Stella." He suddenly called out with a magnetic, nocturnal tone, "Can we reconcile?"

He didn’t know Keegan had told her about the matter, but he longed for her forgiveness every moment.

Even if she no longer loved him, at least it wouldn’t be hate.

Stella looked at him in confusion, unsure what he meant by reconciliation. The hate she once felt was dissolved, she felt calm towards him now.

"Please don’t hate me anymore, okay?" His eyes were filled with deep affection, mixed with an earnest plea, seemingly genuine.

"Aiden Fordham, thank you for coming to Mardale. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me." She said each word slowly, then smiled with relief, "I don’t hate you anymore!"

Added, "Really!"

She genuinely thanked him for his endurance and protection, for taking the bullets for her, for every time he stepped up...

If such forgiveness could give him peace, she wouldn’t hesitate to offer it.

Yet he never understood that the greatest distance in the world isn’t love or hate, but two familiar people gradually becoming strangers...

"I hope that next year, we can still be here watching the stars together." He looked sideways at her, imprinting her into his gaze.

Such a simple wish, yet to him, it felt like an extravagance.

Stella turned her gaze away, watching the fluttering fireflies.

"May time be kind to everyone I love and who loves me, may they be safe and healthy."

She made a heartfelt wish to the stars.

"Aiden Fordham, thank you." This time, it was her turn to express gratitude, "For fishing me out of the river back then. You were more dazzling than fireworks at that time."

She glanced sideways at him, eyes sparkling with starlight, carrying a hint of warmth.

Aiden Fordham’s heart suddenly skipped a beat, and he wanted to reach out to hold her.

But Stella evaded his hand and looked at the stars, seemingly lost in thought.

"Do... you want to find... your biological parents?" he suddenly asked.

"The Sterling Family parents are my rebirth parents." Stella always felt grateful, "Everything else, let it be as it may."

She was no longer fixated on her biological parents, once she hated them in childhood, now she felt indifferent as she grew.

Aiden Fordham looked at her tranquil demeanor now, his heartbeat quickened a little.

They lay side by side on the soft cushions, speaking no more, with the "starry sky" above and each other’s breath beside.

The night wind blew gently, carrying a salty sea breeze, making one drowsy.

The atmosphere was indeed quite beautiful.

Unsure how long passed, Stella gradually drifted to sleep.

Aiden Fordham gently carried her.

His arms were strong, the embrace warm and steady, Stella nestled against him, finding a comfortable position and continuing to sleep.

He gingerly carried her into the tent and tucked her in with a thin blanket.

Gazing at her peaceful sleeping face, intense emotions surged within Aiden Fordham’s eyes, burning, reluctant, and desperate.

Suddenly, he spun around fiercely, like a wild beast out of control, and rushed out of the tent.

Under the darkness, he charged to a nearby mountain wall.

"Bang!"

"Bang! Bang!"

He swung his fist, violently smashing the hard rock.

Again and again, three times.

Soon his fists were battered and bloody.

But he couldn’t feel any pain, not at all.

"Young Master Fordham!"

"Mr. Fordham!"

The bodyguards who had been hidden in the shadows were aghast, rushing out and gripping his arms tightly, attempting to pull him away.

"Let go of me!"

Aiden Fordham’s eyes were bloodshot, his voice hoarse beyond recognition. The virus caused him to lose control once again!

The next day.

Stella Grant opened her eyes to see a broad embrace.

She and he were actually... lying on the same pillow.

His arm was around her neck, lightly holding her, with only a thin blanket covering them.

His handsome face was just inches away, breathing steady, as if he was sleeping deeply.

Stella’s heart raced uncontrollably a few times.

In the past, although they had been intimate, he would always get up and go to another room to rest afterwards.

He never slept in the same bed with her.

At this moment, everything had subtly changed.

Those things she had buried deep in her heart seemed to be budding again.

She didn’t dare to think too much, gently lifted the blanket, got up, and almost fled out of the room.

After she left, Aiden Fordham slowly opened his eyes, a hint of clarity in his deep gaze, and his mouth curved up slightly unnoticeably.

On the way back.

Stella said nothing, just leaned back in the seat, eyes tightly closed.

She appeared to be pretending to sleep, but in reality, her mind was in turmoil.

Aiden turned his head to look at her, his gaze so intensely burning, it roamed over her, hot and fiery.

Stella felt uneasy under his gaze, nervously clenching her small fists.

What’s going on?

Why did she feel so uncomfortable?

She didn’t realize that after the deep hatred subsided, something really was changing.

Suddenly, the car made a sharp turn.

"Ah!"

Stella’s body uncontrollably leaned to the right, falling straight into a warm and solid embrace.

The clean, pleasant scent from his body lingered at the tip of her nose.

"Do you know how to drive?"

Aiden’s cold voice broke the car’s ambiguous atmosphere.

The driver was startled, quickly apologizing: "I’m sorry, President Fordham! A little cat suddenly ran out and I swerved."

Stella’s cheeks flushed, she hurriedly extricated herself from his embrace, sat up straight, and hastily tidied her slightly disheveled clothes.

Out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed his hand, covered with several band-aids that matched his skin tone.

She couldn’t help but ask, "What happened to your hand?"

Upon hearing this, Aiden raised his hands to look, a hint of confusion between his brows.

"Not sure," he said lightly, "I found them there this morning, I thought you put them on."

He truly forgot the near-loss of control madness of last night.

Because he had no sense of pain, he naturally couldn’t feel the injuries on his hands.

Stella looked at his innocent appearance, finding it hard to believe.

"Doesn’t it hurt?"

He tugged at the corners of his mouth, his tone relaxed: "Yeah, it hurts."

"Maybe I got hit in a dream?"

Stella: "..."

She said no more.

This man, how is he getting weirder?

Is he teasing her?

Back at the villa.

Stella rushed upstairs, as if chased by a flood of beasts.

Aiden watched her hurriedly fleeing silhouette, his gaze deepened.

He turned and walked into the kitchen, took a bottle of water from the fridge, and drank it down.

Keegan Lindsey appeared out of nowhere, approaching him with a fawning expression: "President Fordham, how was last night...?"

Aiden glanced at him, without responding.

But seeing the president’s expression was not displeased, but rather in a good mood, Keegan was privately delighted.

It seemed his assistance was effective, and he should put more thought into planning alone time for the couple in the future.

Suddenly, his heart became conflicted again.

Not sure if President Fordham’s toxin can be successfully neutralized, it better not be when Mrs. Fordham falls back in love with him, then...

Ah, ptooey!

What is he thinking!

"Slap!" Unable to help it, Keegan raised a hand and slapped himself.

Aiden, still drinking water, saw Keegan slap himself and couldn’t help but twitch his lips.

He put down the water bottle and walked away, his look saying he was watching an incurable lunatic.

Evening.

Aiden didn’t have dinner at the villa; he and Keegan had something to do outside.

Stella sat alone at the spacious dining table, eating quite comfortably.

Without that man by her side, the air felt much fresher.

Suddenly, her phone screen lit up, a WeChat message popped up.

It was from Vivi Sterling.

Vivi: Stella, do you still like Aiden Fordham?

She replied: ?

Vivi: Then come catch him in the act, it’s hard to watch?

She replied: ?

Vivi: Hurry over, catch him, and you’ll get at least half of the property! I’ll send you the location.

She slowly put down her chopsticks...